Date

0001 - 0001

Role

ORGANISER

N/A

Description

The Heroes in Science event, held in 2022, was youth engagement initiative designed to inspire senior secondary school students across Queensland to explore careers in environmental science and planning. The event was co-developed and delivered by academic staff across the College of Science and Engineering at James Cook University, with Jack Koci playing a lead role in concept design, stakeholder coordination, facilitation and delivery Centred around the theme "The Role of Science and Planning in Managing Natural Hazard Risk", the program engaged Year 11 and 12 students in a hands-on, immersive learning experience that simulated a real-world urban development planning scenario. Held across JCU’s Cairns and Townsville campuses, the event included a series of integrated activities such as: Field-based learning modules led by JCU academics showcasing methods in ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, and urban planning; Interactive simulation tasks where students assessed competing land-use and environmental constraints to propose development options; Team-based decision-making challenges where students presented their recommendations and justified planning trade-offs; Mentorship and career insights from academic staff and industry representatives. The event was strategically aligned with the Queensland secondary science curriculum and positioned to promote tertiary STEM pathways. It attracted participation from schools across the region. Students reported high levels of satisfaction, noting that the experience was both intellectually stimulating and valuable in helping them visualise future careers in science, planning, and environmental management. A short promotional video summarising the event, which includes footage of activities and student testimonials, has been viewed over 650 times, extending the reach of the initiative beyond those who attended in person.